COG July 2017 Events

Dr. Eric Wilson, PGA Legacy Master Professional, College of Golf Executive Director of Golf Operations, and Chairman of the Special Olympics Golf Committee for North America recently coordinated and administered the 2017 Special Olympic National Invitational Golf Tournament (NIT) at the Willows Run Golf Club in Seattle, Washington. Wilson has taken the leadership role in the tournament since it commenced in 2000.

More than 230 golfers and coaches from across the United States and Canada participated in the tournament in individual and team competitions on nine and 18-hole courses, as well as individual skill competitions.

Beth Knox, the president and CEO of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games which helped produce the event was thankful to test systems and processes for future events, and stated, “We’ve had just a phenomenal group of golfers for the National Golf Championship, and the weather has been perfect for golfing.”

Dr. Wilson will once again represent Keiser University at next year’s competition.

Keiser University’s College of Golf recently hosted its latest summer golf clinic by welcoming Venice High School Students. The program, held at Keiser University’s Flagship campus, began with brief introductions followed by outdoor training facility practice in which PGA Faculty member Frank Longabucco shared interactive tips designed to help improve one’s understanding of short game principles, primarily dealing with chipping and pitching.

The students then separated into smaller groups, rotating through three instructional stations including a putting technique session with Longabucco, full swing analysis sessions in the indoor training area with PGA Faculty John Callahan, and a shot shaping technique lesson with PGA Master Professional Brian Hughes. Once the four-hour tutorial had concluded, the group was then presented information relating to Keiser University from Community Resource Coordinator Elizabeth Snyder, who had planned the event.

“The students all participated enthusiastically and showed great promise in making their fall golf season a success. Appreciation also goes to Keiser University Golf Coach Brandon Miller, who participated in all aspects of the training areas. Plans are already being made for next year’s visit,” said Hughes.

Keiser University College of Golf Professor Achieves Titleist Certification

Keiser University College of Golf (COG) Professor John Callahan recently achieved Level 1 Certification from the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI).

“I have long been an advocate of the TPI website, a free information source that demonstrates how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing, so getting TPI certified was the logical next step. I’m looking forward to imparting this knowledge to my COG students at the University,” said Callahan.

Requirements for the certification include an online preparation study program, 16 hours of face-to-face instruction with TPI program founders Dr. Greg Rose and Dave Phillips, and the attainment of at least a 90% grade on the TPI final exam. Currently, there are over 15,000 TPI Certified professionals in 58 countries.

Keiser University College of Golf Students Receive Impact Zone Player Certification

Keiser University College of Golf students David Johnson, Chris Rooney, and Willie Scott recently earned Impact Zone Golf Player Certification by scoring over 90% on the exam and attending two clinics conducted by Impact Zone Golf Certified Instructor Professor John Callahan.

Conducted at the Keiser University College of Golf Outdoor Training Facility, the unique certification was developed by College of Golf Executive Director of Golf Operations, PGA Legacy Master Professional, and Impact Zone Golf Master Instructor Dr. Eric Wilson in close collaboration with PGA Champion Tour Player and TV Personality Bobby Clampett, author of The Impact Zone.

Keiser University congratulates the group for their outstanding achievements.

Picture in the photo L-R: Willie Scott, Chris Rooney, Professor John Callahan and David Johnson

Keiser University College of Golf Students Enjoy Persimmon Woods and Blade Golf Clubs

Keiser University College of Golf students recently participated in a scramble golf tournament using persimmon woods and blade irons this week. The students in Professor Ken Martin’s History of Golf class were provided clubs from the 1960’s and 1970’s to play The Fazio Course at PGA National Golf Club.

The team of Brian Hughes, a PGA Master Professional, David Johnson, and Clark Ditzhazy were victorious with a score of 10-under par 62, winning by three strokes over the teams of Ken Martin, a PGA Master Professional, Ian Wrightson, and Ian Yee; Frank Longabucco, a PGA Master Professional, Chris Rooney, D’Andre Kinney, and Ryan Easson and David Wixson, a PGA Master Professional, Charlie Wych, Willie Scott, and Daniel Ruhlin, who all shot 7-under par scores of 65.

The opportunity to use golf clubs from half a decade ago provided the group an appreciation for the skills and abilities of golf’s greats of the era. Champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Johnny Miller all shot incredible scores and won major championships using these golf clubs. In the History of Golf class, students have had the opportunity to play golf clubs from the 1920’s forward to compare to today’s technology and realize how far golf club development has come.